The government’s plans cut household fuel bills, announced in the 2015 spending review, will largely be funded by cuts to to the current energy company obligation (ECO) scheme, according to a letter from the department of energy and climate change (Decc)…
News
Gas ‘cannot bridge the gap to low-carbon’ without CCS; government strategies ‘at odds’, says UKERC
by New Power • • Comments Off
Without carbon capture and storage (CCS) gas cannot act as a ‘bridging’ technology to meet 2050 greenhouse gas targets. Instead, it must be phased out over the next 35 years and largely removed by 2050, according to new modeling by…
Over 40 per cent of energy switchers choose independent suppliers
by Annabel Andrews • • Comments Off
Over 6 million domestic energy supply accounts were switched in 2015, a 15% increase on 2014, according to figures published today by Ofgem. This is the highest number of switches since 2011. Over 40 per cent of switchers chose independent suppliers.…
Dong Energy to start construction of ‘waste to gas to power’ plant in Cheshire
by New Power • • Comments Off
Construction work is about to start on a waste to energy plant in Northwich that will use a new enzyme-based process to convert waste to gas. The gas will be used to generate electricity and the site should produce 5MW.…
Centrica blames falling commodity prices for 12 per cent slump in operating profits
by Annabel Andrews • • Comments Off
Profits at Centrica fell 12 per cent during 2015 due to “a very challenging environment”, the company said in its preliminary 2015 results announcement today. The company’s chief executive, Iain Conn, said: “2015 provided a very challenging environment for Centrica.…
Feed in tariff caps hit within minutes for all anaerobic digestion and some solar and wind installations
by Annabel Andrews • • Comments Off
The feed in tariff deployment cap for all anaerobic digestion installations was reached just 15 minutes and 28 seconds after the scheme reopened – at lower tariff levels – after a four-week pause on 8 February. The cap was also reached…
Energy company owned by Bristol City Council launches
by Annabel Andrews • • 1 Comment
Bristol Energy, the first municipal energy company in the South West and one of the first in the country, is officially open for business. The energy supply company was created by Bristol City Council in 2015 to “be a force for social…
EDF Energy announces longer lifetime for four nuclear plants
by New Power • • Comments Off
EDF Energy has announced life extensions for four of its nuclear power stations, claiming the highest nuclear output for ten years in 2015 at 60.5TWh. Scheduled closure dates for Heysham 1 (1155MW) and Hartlepool (1180MW) have been extended by five…
European utilities’ credit ratings may fall, warns Moody’s
by New Power • • Comments Off
Rating agency Moody’s has warned it may downgrade ten European energy utilities, mostly because of their exposure to falling commodity and power prices. Among those on review for downgrade are ratings related to Centrica, Dong Energy, EDF, E.On, Engie, RWE…
Ofgem sets out process for closing Renewables Obligation subsidy to onshore wind
by Annabel Andrews • • Comments Off
Ofgem has published draft guidance for generators affected by the proposed closure of the Renewables Obligation to onshore wind on 1 April 2016. The energy regulator noted: “This is not a consultation on the policy underpinning the Renewables Obligation, but on…